Nanosized ZnO and ZnO@zeolite composite prepared via sonication method
ZnO nanosized materials are well known for their photocatalytic and antibacterial properties. Their implication in water treatment and environmental protection, especially as a part of composite materials, has been an object of study of a great number of researchers working in the field. Zeolites are excellent candidates for support of composites preparation with semiconductor oxides since they are nonhazardous, non-expensive and naturally abundant materials. In order to synthesize nanosized ZnO with well-developed surface area and uniform size distribution in pristine form and supported on zeolite, we applied the method of precipitation assisted by sonicatio n. As prepared ZnO nanoparticles and the composite ZnO-zeolite were characterized by XRD, SEM and UV-Vis spectroscopy. The ZnO crystalized in wurtzite structure in both materials. The morphology of ZnO nanoparticles was affected by the zeolite framework, as in the composite the ZnO was formed in-situ at the presence of zeolite. The ultrasonic irradiation during the precipitation of Zn(OH)2 and aging of the reaction mixture causes activation of the zeolite surface and prevents the aggregation of ZnO particles. In result evenly distributed ZnO nanoparticles were obtained in the composite.